Chapter 12

"We'll be doing a training camp?" asked Miku.

"Yep, it's that time of the year again." said Yoshino.

"What's it about?" asked Soma.

"Did you guys have anything like this in middle school? We're going to stay at a camp for a few nights." asked Ryoko.

"We never had something like this nor did we know the academy would so something like this." said Miku.

"Well, let's start explaining it to them." said Ryoko.

This camp is said to represent hell to the first circle of the new high school students. All of the first years would be tasked with grueling cooking projects every day, if we don't earn a passing score, we face immediate expulsion.

As they explained, Miku could see the nervousness in their faces, Megumi was even trembling. But Miku were more interested about the food that was going to be made there. Along with the chefs who were going to make them, there might be new types of cooking for her. Miku was excited about that.

The camp claims to be an opportunity to strengthen our bonds, but in reality it's a merciless gauntlet for weeding out the weak. That was what it meant by education through competition.

"When the director spoke of the one percent, this is where the selection really begins process really begins." said Isshiki.

This was perfect for Miku, after this camp, the one's who had terrible cooking skills would be gone, there should be no nuisances in the academy.

"Isshiki-senpai, you went to the training camp last year, right?" asked Aoki.

"Of course, when I attended last year's training camp, dozens were expelled and sent home each day." said Isshiki.

Miku didn't know how to feel about the camp.

Half of her felt bad that people were getting expelled and half of her was excited that they would be expelled since there is no need for nuisances.

But that didn't matter at the moment, Miku wanted to see more details about the camp.

The contents of the book said they could bring playing cards and shogi sets, but video games aren't allowed. Oi, oi, why isn't there anytime for them to have breaks? Everything was understandable, to put it simply, since half half the class will make it, all they needed to do was be in the other half.

"And I'm quite certain that everyone in Polar Star will come back smiling." said Isshiki.

With Isshiki's compliment, everyone's determination suddenly burst through the roofs.

"I'll make it back here!"

"I sure will!"

As everyone started to fill with determination and confidence, Miku knew it wasn't going to be that easy. She knew that Isshiki-senpai was a good cook, that was why he was part of the Elite Council, however, her dorm mates weren't even on par with any of the 10 elites yet. However, if they do survive this camp, then their skill level would be raised.

Miku was hoping to find someone that was on par with her.

"Let's dominate this camp!" said Yoshino.

"That's the spirit." said Isshiki.

"How wonderful." said Miku smiling.

...

They days went on as normal, everyone attended class, and cooked. But the students were more focused than before, they had to prepare for the camp that was said to represent hell, they had to learn as much as they could. After school, everyone started packing the stuff they needed into their luggage.

Miku had a small luggage, she brought a few ingredients and spices with her utensils.

...

Thus, it was now the first day of camp.

Under the scorching sun, buses were lined up as the Polar Star squad stood outside.

"It's quite hot." muttered Miku.

"My stomach hurts." said Megumi.

"Off to the friendship and team building camp from hell!" said Soma.

With that said, they all entered the bus and started heading towards the camp.

"Thank goodness for the air conditioning." said Miku.

"Seriously." said Ryoko.

Once they arrived, they were now in a tall white building, a long column of colors were in the middle of the building giving it a colorful look.

"This certainly is amazing." said Miku.

"As expected of rich people, they even run this huge hotel." said Soma.

"I can't believe this is our camp site." said Megumi.

Indeed, even Miku couldn't believe it either, she thought it was something like a regular training camp not a luxurious hotel. All of the hotels and inns here belonged to Totsuki. Just how rich was the chairman? It's also said that they manage a dozen or so accommodations under the Totsuki Resorts Brand, and graduates often end up working in the resorts' culinary division.

If they paid well, she would definitely work for them too considering how much money the director had. Even a night at one of these places were 80,000 yen or more. That was basically a month's rent and they're going to be staying at this hotel. Miku was definitely going to abuse her status as a student and do everything she was able to do at the hotel.

But everything would be meaningless unless they survive.

...

Inside the hotel, they were in a room filled with students with red curtains hanging from the walls. In the front, there was a stage with a stand and a big screen behind it. Looking around, some students looked exhausted on the chairs and it was too quiet. It was hard to believe that that nearly a thousand students were here.

But hey, they were about to enter hell and probably felt quite distressed.

Then they spotted a certain chocolate blonde in the crowd.

"Hey Mito." said Miku.

"Yo Nikumi." said Soma.

"Y-yukihira and Hatsune?" asked Mito.

When Miku heard the change of tone in Mito's voice when she heard her name, she was caught off guard, what did she even do to Mito?

"Been a while Nikumi." said Soma.

When Mito heard Soma, her face started to turn red, Miku could more or less guess what's going on. She just enjoyed talking to Soma better than her, what a mean person.

While Soma and Mito was talking, Miku could hear the students surrounding them talk and give them weird looks. It seems like people still dislike Soma even after all this time, it didn't even damage their pride that much.

"Good morning students! I will now provide an overview of this camp." said Roland as he went up on the stand.

His serious face and his red tie around his neck already gave him an image of a mean teacher.

"You're schedules to stay here at this camp for five nights and six days. During this time, you'll be split off into several groups and take on a new assignment each day. Students whose instructors' evaluations fall below a certain baseline will be failed, sent back to the academy, and expelled." said Roland.

With that announced, students gulped in nervousness.

"To evaluate your tasks, we have invited guest lecturers. They're the Totsuki alumni who have graciously agreed to join us, in spite of their busy schedules." said Roland.

With that announced, everyone was now even more nervous and shocked than ever. It was no surprise that they would be shocked, after all, the Totsuki alumni are all geniuses who managed to stay in the 90th percentile.

There revealed a line of different students.

Miku was more than excited, all of them indeed seemed like geniuses, she wanted to test their skill against her own and see how they would all do. Then suddenly, a pinked haired student went over to a brown haired student and expelled him. Due to being far away, she couldn't tell what just happened.

When the brown haired student suddenly had a wild outburst, in return, the pink haired student gave him an angry look and scared the brown haired student.

"It's Chef Shinomiya!"

"He's the first Japanese national to win the French Pluspol award!"

"Not to mention.."

Hearing the student go on and on, she learned about them a bit more. Judging by their feats, they really were skilled and weren't pushovers. That was all Miku needed to know.

Then suddenly, something caught her attention.

"That's the man who graduated first in his class after getting the highest score even on the graduation exam!"

Miku couldn't hear what else the student said, instead, her attention was focused on the man with a suit and short brown hair. His hairline needed a fix though, it ruined his appearance a bit.

"Doujima Gin!"

That was his name.

"Welcome to my Totsuki Resort. Each of the alumni who have gathered here today is a chef who owns his or her own restaurant. For the next six days of training camp, we will treat you as we would our own staff. Do you understand what that entails?" asked Gin. Those who cannot perform to our expectations will be fired or expelled!"

"As you've already seen, at the discretion, you may be dismissed at the drop of a hat. I wish you all the best of luck. Now proceed to your groups!" said Gin.

"Hey Miku, let's do it with each other for old time's sake?" asked Soma.

"You have to stop talking like an old man, but let's do it." said Miku.

Back in the old days, there were small cooking competitions, Soma and Miku would participate in those, either going against each other or cooking with each other.

"Miku Hatsune is it?" asked someone.

"Hmm? Yes that's me." said Miku.

Turning over to the sudden voice, there stood a man with sunglasses on.

"Alright, can you come with me? I'm a staff here at the hotel and there seems to be someone here for you." said the man.

"Eh? But I don't think anyone needs me." said Miku.

"It's someone important." said the man.

He looked pretty urgent and was quite in a hurry.

"But I have to get to the training." said Miku.

"We've already told the alumni, you will be put in a separate training area." said the man.

"But-"

"Miku, it's fine. Plus, it seems pretty important." said Soma.

Sighing mentally in defeat, she followed the man towards the private room. Once they reached the room, the man left as she opened the white door.

Seeing who it was, she instantly regretted agreeing.